Erling Haaland has eased expectations on Norway and has played down any hopes of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
The Scandinavian country have enjoyed an impressive outing in their first World Cup since 1998 and have now booked their spot in the Round of 32, where a clash against Ivory Coast awaits them.
Norway suffered a 4-1 defeat to France in their final group game which saw them finish behind the two-time World champions on the standings.
Speaking ahead of that clash, Haaland had acknowledged the quality of the French side and backed them as one of the favourites to win the tournament.
“I couldn’t care too much about that game now… they’re probably going to win against us,” Haaland said.
“And they’re probably going to win the whole tournament,” he added.
Half of the Norwegian’s prediction already happened, with France sealing an emphatic win over a second-string Norway side, who rang the changes ahead of kickoff.
Head coach Stale Solbakken made 10 alterations to the team that recorded a 3-2 win over Senegal in their second game, with the likes of Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Sorloth all left on the bench.
Ousmane Dembele was the star of the show in the clash, netting his first hat-trick for France at a major tournament to take his tally to four for the tournament, level with Haaland and Mbappe and only behind Lionel Messi in the Golden boot charts.
Norway briefly pulled one back through Thelo Aasgaard, but France’s quality proved too much on the night, with Mike Maignan also denying Jorgen Strand Larsen from 12 yards.
Desire Doue completed scoring in stoppage time to seal the win for Les Bleus, who will now face Sweden in the Round of 32 on June 30.
Norway will also be in action against African heavyweights Ivory Coast in their own encounter on the same day.
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